Buyer Planner

**_Dessert Holdings is North America’s fastest growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best in class service. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, it is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company and most recently, Dianne’s Fine Desserts. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital and is continuing its journey of rapid growth. _**

**_The company employs approximately 3,000 people across eight manufacturing facilities and its headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. The manufacturing facilities are geographically dispersed, with two facilities in Canada and one each in Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Carolina._**

**Position Mission**: Our Buyer Planner works independently and cross functionally within the supply chain, manufacturing, warehouse, R&D and marketing teams. This role is accountable for the procurement, material management, communication and analysis work required to obtain the best cost, quality and service from suppliers for raw materials/ingredients. The Buyer Planner will also take actions needed to ensure successful management of the company's supply chain with a focus on the categories assigned to the position, you will report directly to the purchasing manager.

**Responsibilities Include**:
Create purchase orders consistent with inventory management and distribution planning best practices which maintain the most effective inventory turns for the business, minimizing obsolescence, ensuring the plant production has no interruption in supply.
- Follow up to ensure all POs are confirmed for price, volume, and ETA.
- Ensure all paperwork for delivery is on time.
- Problem-solve any discrepancies in price, volume, and delivery.

Manage the day-to-day supplier relationships within the confines of defined contracts

Manage the corrective action process for assigned categories, conducting analysis and investigations regarding operational issues related to assigned categories.

Participate and supports projects associated with the supply chain to improve productivity.

Assures annual certification of suppliers for The Original Cakerie including compliance with TOC Quality Assurance programs and trade certifications.

Manage ERP systems maintenance, including supplier master data, SKU master and purchase order data.

A person performing this job does not supervise others

**Education/Training/Experience**:
Minimum - Bachelor's Degree

Preferred - CPM/APICS certification

Minimum 3 years' purchasing experience, preferably in raw material/food ingredients buying

**Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**:

- Experience with planning systems and processes (MRP)
- Experience with buying products for manufacturing
- Must possess clear written and verbal communication, creative problem solving and interpersonal skills.
- Results driven with a sense of urgency to business needs.
- Able to independently manage and follow through multi-step project steps/procedures consistently
- Strong analytical and data management skills
- Proven ability to think critically and make timely decisions
- Solid Microsoft Excel and Analytical ability